Smartphones Overtake PCs

Koreans spend an average of three hours and 34 minutes a day using mobile gadgets, longer than watching TV and using their computer. This is the result of a survey by advertising agency HS Ad of 1,000 domestic consumers using smartphones, TVs and computers.

Those in their 20s spend the most time using their smartphones with an average of five hours and 15 minutes a day, compared to two hours and seven minutes for those in their 50s. Instead, people over 50 watch TV for five hours and 39 minutes per day, as against only an hour and 46 minutes among teenagers.

Both teenagers and those in their 20s spend more time using their smartphones than watching TV or using the computer.

Nine p.m. to 11 p.m. is the favorite time of day for those in all age groups for using their phones or watching TV. HS Ad speculated that many consumers use their smartphones even while watching TV.

"We collected data by installing measuring devices at the smartphones, TVs, and computers of 1,000 consumers," said Kim Jong-ripp of HS Ad. He added the findings will permit a more effective distribution of the advertising budget.